2014 NBA Mock Draft- First Round FINAL

Here is The Sports Bank’s 2014 NBA Mock Draft where team needs and outstanding trades have been taken into account. The draft order is based on the final standings since the NBA Draft Lottery doesn’t take place until May 20th. Click on the player’s name for an in-depth draft profile. By the way, The Sports Bank had the most accurate NBA Mock Draft in both 2011 and 2012 along with the second most accurate mock in 2013.

So without further ado, here is our FINAL 2014 NBA mock draft. UPDATED: 6:00 PM CST

1. Cleveland- Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas, 6-8, Fr.
With the latest injury news regarding Joel Embiid, it now appears the Cavs will choose between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker. Cleveland’s biggest need is at small forward since Luol Deng is a free agent and all along I’ve felt that Wiggins would a better fit than Parker alongside Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. Even though reports say the Cavs are leaning towards Parker, I’m sticking with Wiggins at one.

2. Milwaukee- Jabari Parker, SF, Duke, 6-8, Fr.
The Bucks have a small forward of the future in last year’s first round pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo but they cannot pass on Parker at this point. Milwaukee needs a go-to scoring option and Parker should be a 20+ points per game scorer in the NBA and ready to be an immediate impact player.

3. Philadelphia- Joel Embiid, C, Kansas, 7-0, Fr.This is where the Embiid situation starts to get interesting as where he ends up going is the biggest x-factor of this draft. Philly took an injured Nerlens Noel last year but I am not sure they can afford to roll the dice again this time around. Then again, the team is in a rebuilding mode so why not take a chance and hope he and Noel can one day make the reward outweigh the risk.

4. Orlando- Dante Exum, G, Australia, 6-6, 1995.With Orlando holding a team option on the final year of Jameer Nelson’s contract, they should address their need for a point guard of the future and Dante Exum falls right into their laps. He is long, athletic, versatile combo guard who would be a solid fit alongside Victor Oladipo. Drafting Exum could also allow Orlando to deal Aaron Afflalo.

5. Orlando- Noah Vonleh, PF, Indiana, 6-10, Fr.I think Noah Vonleh is a solid fit due to his versatility on the offensive end and would give them something that neither Derrick Favors nor Enes Kanter can. Plus, Kanter becomes a restricted free agent next summer and I doubt Utah will be jumping at the opportunity of signing him to a long-term extension.

6. Boston- Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona, 6-9, Fr.Though still raw offensively and a tweener forward, Aaron Gordon is a ridiculous athlete and terrific defender who should be a solid role player in the NBA. Marcus Smart would also be an option here since Rajon Rondo is entering the final year of his contract.

7. L.A. Lakers- Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
There has been some recent speculation that teams are souring on Julius Randle because of an old foot injury. The Lakers roster is wide open with needs all over and they could use a physical and athletic post player like Randle. There is also a very good chance L.A. ends up trading this pick for a veteran.

8. Sacramento- Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State, 6-3, Soph.The Kings are looking to change their losing ways and Marcus Smart is a fierce competitor who can impact the game in numerous ways. He would bring something to the Sacramento backcourt that restricted free agent Isaiah Thomas does not.

9. Charlotte (from DET)– Doug McDermott, SF, Creighton, 6-8, Sr.The Bobcats need to add a shooter and Dougie McBuckets can fill it up from anywhere on the floor. Charlotte also wants to build off their playoff appearance and McDermott is ready to step in from day one and be a contributor.

10. Philadelphia (from NO)– Nik Stauskas, SG, Michigan, 6-6, Soph.If the Sixers select Embiid at three, they still need to find a backcourt running mate for Michael Carter-Williams. Nik Stauskas is a sharpshooter from the outside which fits a need for a Philly team searching for a perimeter threat.

11. Denver (from NY)– Elfrid Payton, PG, LA-Lafayette, 6-4, Jr.The Ragin’ Cajun flew under the radar a bit nationally this season but is a versatile combo guard who can stuff the stat sheet and seems to be rising up draft boards. The Nuggets don’t have any glaring needs so can take the best overall prospect.

12. Orlando (from DEN)- Dario Saric, SF, Croatia, 6-10, 1993Dario Saric is a versatile forward who can stretch defenses with his outside shooting but he recently signed a contract extension overseas so he likely won’t come to the NBA for at least two years so whoever selects him must have patience. With their second first round pick, the Magic can roll the dice and hope Saric is worth the wait.

13. Minnesota- Gary Harris, SG, Michigan State, 6-4, Soph.The T-Wolves are an interesting team to watch this off-season with the Kevin Love rumors picking up steam. If Love remains on the roster, Minnesota needs to add some scoring punch off the bench. Gary Harris is a talented all-around player who get it done on either end of the floor.

14. Phoenix- James Young, G/F, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.The Suns biggest focus with their three first round picks will be adding talent to their wing. James Young has great size for an NBA wing and one of the smoothest strokes in this draft class.

15. Atlanta- Kyle Anderson, G/F, UCLA, 6-9, Soph.
Kyle Anderson is one of the more unique prospects in recent years since he is really a point guard in a forward’s body. Scouts either love him or question how he will transition to the next level. He has worked out twice the Hawks who need depth and an upgrade of talent on the wing.

16. Chicago (from CHAR)- Shabazz Napier, PG, UConn, 6-1, Sr.Since the Bulls dealt Marquis Teague and both Kirk Hinrich and D.J. Augustin are free agents, they could use some depth at the point guard position. Shabazz Napier is a proven winner and would be a great option behind Derrick Rose.

17. Boston (from BRK)- Zach LaVine, G, UCLA, 6-5, Fr.Despite his recent ridiculous veritcal, LaVine is nowhere near NBA ready and I’m not sold on him at all. With that being said, he is an intriguing prospect due to that athleticism. A team like the Celtics who has two first rounders can take a chance on him in the late lottery or mid first round and hope they hit the jackpot in a couple of years.

19. Chicago- Rodney Hood, SF, Duke, 6-8, Soph.The Bulls sorely need some scoring help on the wing and Rodney Hood has a smooth outside shot and is also athletic at the rim. I think people are sleeping on him in this draft class.

20. Toronto- Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse, 6-2, Fr.
Kyle Lowry is an unrestricted free agent and Greivis Vasquez is a restricted free agent so the Raptors could use another point guard option. Tyler Ennis could be a big dropper on draft night but is a good value here for Toronto.

21. Oklahoma City (from DAL)- Clint Capela, PF, Switzerland, 6-10, 1994
With a pair of first round picks, the Thunder likely take at least one draft and stash the option. The Swiss native looks the part but needs grooming in most areas of his game and must add physicality.

22. Memphis- T.J. Warren, SF, N.C. State, 6-8, Soph.
There is talk of this pick going to Toronto Raptors trading into this pick with hopes of selecting Capela. If the Griz keep this pick, they need a small forward since Tayshaun Prince is nowhere near what he used to be and Mike Miller is a free agent. T.J. Warren is a very efficient scorer who is at his best when attacking the basket.

23. Utah (from GS)-P.J. Hairston, SG, North Carolina, 6-6, Jr.Since the Jazz went big with their lottery pick, they need to find some depth in their backcourt. P.J. Hairston has solid size and strength to be an NBA off guard but also displays a pretty stroke from the perimeter.

24. Charlotte (from POR)– Jordan Clarkson, G, Missouri, 6-5, Jr.With the majority of their team becoming free agents, the Heat are searching for depth all across their roster. Jordan Clarkson is a versatile, combo guard who should be able to play either guard position at the next level.

25. Houston- Cleanthony Early, SF, Wichita State, 6-8, Sr.
Cleanthony Early is a physical, athletic small forward who can step out and knock down perimeter shots. He could step in right away and become a role player off a Rockets bench that didn’t have a whole lot of depth this past season.

26. Miami– Jusuf Nurkic, C, Bosnia, 7-0, 1994
A wide body in the paint (280 pounds), the Bosnian is a developing low post presence and could go as high as the late lottery. The Heat need a big body down and Nurkic would be a great value here since he could go as high as the late lottery.

27. Phoenix (from IND)- Bogdan Bogdanovic, G/F, Serbia, 6-6, 1992A versatile threat, the Serbian can play the one, two, or three and does a little bit of everything to help his team. The Suns could use him as a draft and stash option with their third and final first round pick.

28. L.A. Clippers– Mitch McGary, C, Michigan, 6-10, Soph.
The Clips don’t have much depth up-front behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Mitch McGary missed most of this past season with a back injury but is an aggressive, physical player who has a non-stop motor.

29. Oklahoma City (from DAL)- K.J. McDaniels, SF, Clemson, 6-6, Jr.With Thabo Sefolosha a free agent, the Thunder could use a perimeter defender on the wing. K.J. McDaniels is extremely athletic and terrific on the defensive end.

30. San Antonio- Damien Inglis, SF, France, 6-9, 1995Damien Inglis has the prototypical size for a NBA small forward and could sneak into the late first round. The Spurs do a tremendous job of evaluating and developing talent and Inglis will need some grooming before he is ready to contribute at the next level.

David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Milwaukee to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag), and finished with the second most accurate 2013 NBA Mock Draft (nearly a three-peat.)You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.

Comments

Shabazz Napier will not be chosen early. He is too small, with short arms. He will struggle in the NBA.
The Bulls should take PJ Hairston and Rodney Hood.
If they want to take a PG then Tyler Ennis is a good choice.